Back to thoughts and prayers: Donald Trump abandons support for enhanced background checks

"It's the people that pull the trigger, it's not the gun that pulls the trigger."

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Just two weeks after the three mass shootings that left over 30 people dead, President Trump is already going back on his initial support for laws that could help strengthen gun control.

Although on August 5th Trump seemed to suggest his support for the implementation of “red flag laws” – laws that allow law enforcement to take guns from individuals that have used threatening language – when speaking to the press this week, Trump change course to say that he is concerned about “mental health issue” in regards to gun violence.

“It’s the people that pull the trigger, it’s not the gun that pulls the trigger,” stated Trump. The president then proceeded to call for the country to bring back “mental institutions” not “as a form of prison” but for “help.”

“I think it’s something we really have to look at, the mental institutions,” said Trump.

When pressed about his thoughts on background checks, Trump stated, “People don’t realize we have very strong background checks right now. If you go in and buy a gun, you have to sign up. There are a lot of background checks that have been approved over the years. So I’ll have to see what it is.”

Trump also claims that “there is no political appetite… at this moment,” in regards to reviving an assault weapons ban.

Democrats have been calling for an early return of the Senate in order to decide on gun reform measures that have already passed the House of Representatives, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that the Senate would take up the issue when it reconvened in September.

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Ruth Milka started as an intern for NationofChange in 2015. Known for her thoughtful and thorough approach, Ruth is committed to shedding light on the intersection of environmental issues and their impact on human communities. Her reporting consistently highlights the urgency of environmental challenges while emphasizing the human stories at the heart of these issues. Ruth’s work is driven by a passion for truth and a dedication to informing the public about critical global matters concerning the environment and human rights.

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